BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The 22nd-ranked Central Washington University volleyball team was defeated by the 7th-ranked Metro State University Denver Roadrunners in the first match of the WWU Invitational Thursday evening by a score of 3-0. 

Quoting Head Coach Mario Andaya
"We didn't control the ball well enough against Metro to score. They played stellar defense and it seemed to wear us down. We did some good things we'll build from, but it wasn't consistent enough to beat Metro." 

How It Happened 
MSU Denver would earn a sweep winning the sets 25-21, 25-22, and 25-21 respectively. The Wildcats stayed competitive in each set behind the offensive presence of Ellie Marble (10 kills), Shaunessy Fisk (13 digs), and Kate Stidham (16 assists). The 'Cats battled hard but just couldn't overcome the Roadrunners hard-hitting rallies. 

First Set 
The Roadrunners shot out of the gate early to get a 5-1 lead. However, the 'Cats fought back to keep the set close. The two teams traded points as the score would stay within 7 points. The Wildcats then began a run that brought the score to 22-21 in favor of MSU Denver, but that's when the Roadrunners scored three unanswered points to win the set 25-21. 

Second Set 
CWU found the lead during the set and would hang on to it for most of the first half, but the Roadrunners kept it close and eventually passed the Wildcats for the 13-12 lead. While the 'Cats remained in the set, the momentum from MSU Denver proved to last as the Roadrunners closed out the set winning 25-22. 

Third Set 
The teams would trade scoring chances throughout most of the set with MSU Denver taking the lead after a kill from Annika Helf took put the score at 9-8. The Crimson and Black stayed right behind the Roadrunners for the whole set with the opportunity to retake the lead present. However, MSU Denver was able to close out the set and match with another 25-21 win. 

Up Next 
The Wildcats will take on the San Francisco State Gators tomorrow for their second match of the WWU Invitational. First serve will be at 4:30 p.m. at WECU Court in Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash.